CHARLESTON – A Jackson County woman has filed suit against the maker of an anti-depressant, alleging the drug caused her father to shoot her mother, then to kill himself.
Robin Hall claims defendants Forest Laboratories and Forest Pharmaceuticals should have included a warning on its anti-depressant, Celexa, that cautioned individuals older than 65 of an increased suicide risk.
Robin Hall claims her father, 78-year-old Robert Raines, shot and killed his wife, Elsie Raines, then committed suicide while under the influence of Celexa on April 30, 2008.
Robert Hall had been taking the drug since April 25, 2008, at the advice of his doctor, according to the complaint originally filed April 30 in Jackson Circuit Court.
Forest Laboratories and Forest Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the drug, failed to warn of the anti-depressant's propensity to cause individuals older than 65 of the increased risk of suicide, the suit states.
"Defendants Forest further have failed to adequately test, investigate, and or inspect the instances of suicidal behavior in patients over the age of 65," the complaint says.
In her complaint, Robin Hall alleges negligence, strict liability, fraud, wrongful death and breach of implied warranty against the defendants.
Hall seeks unspecified compensatory, general and punitive damages, plus costs, attorneys' fees, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.
Forest removed the complaint to U.S. District Court, saying it is a resident of a different state than Robin Hall and that Robin Hall is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
Brent W. Kessner and Daniel W. Greear of Kesner, Kesner and Bramble in Charleston and Kevin C. Harris and Eric J. Holmes of the Law Offices of Harris and Holmes in Ripley will be representing Robin Hall.
William Scott Wickline and Debra C. Price of Allen, Guthrie and Thomas in Charleston will be representing Forest.
U.S. District Court case number: 2:10-1088
Celexa case moved to federal court
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